Holiday tree permits sold out in the Lake Tahoe Basin

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LAKE TAHOE - The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit holiday tree permits are sold out, according to a Monday statement from the agency. No additional permits will be authorized for this season.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is also sold out of permits. Other options for cutting a tree on National Forest land include the Plumas, Shasta-Trinity, Lassen and Inyo national forests. In addition, private Christmas tree farms are located in Placer, Nevada and El Dorado counties in California, and in Washoe County in Nevada.

Permit sales in the Lake Tahoe Basin began in 2003 with approximately 750 permits. Over the years the program has grown to an average annual sale of 3,000 permits, according to USFS. Harvesting smaller diameter trees offers residents and visitors a traditional holiday experience while helping to thin the forest.